Speeding and excessive speed is widely recognised as a major contributor to road crashes. Reducing speeds by only one mile per hour is likely to reduce the total number of crashes by five per cent. While most people see speeding by other drivers as a problem, they rarely see fault in their own driving.
The issue of speeding is tackled in a number of different ways in North Lincolnshire. This includes:
- publicity
- enforcement
- engineering
- education.
Speed seminars were launched in April 2002 as a new educational approach to speeding.
Most initiatives aimed at reducing speeding are targeted at areas that have a high offending rate and a high incidence of crashes due to speeding. This means the most effort goes into treating the worst areas.
Speed Seminars are an alternative to prosecution. They are offered to drivers caught on camera doing just over the normal prosecution level. But it is not an easy option. Every client who attends a seminar is expected to take a full and active part. If they don't, it will be treated as failure to complete the seminar. They then face the possibility of prosecution.
Using education as an alternative to prosecution has worked very successfully with the National Driver Improvement Scheme. This is offered to some drivers who have been involved in a crash and were to blame. The re-offending rate after attending the course is substantially less than the expected re-offending rate after prosecution alone.
Educating drivers to appreciate the risks, dangers and possible consequences of speeding is expected to have a similar effect on re-offending rates. Targeting the root causes of people's attitudes and behaviour to speeding should make them better informed and safer drivers.
The two-hour hard-hitting seminars are part of a partnership between:
- North Lincolnshire Council
- North East Lincolnshire Council
- Kingston upon Hull City Council
- East Riding of Yorkshire Council
- Humberside Police.
More about Speed Seminars
1. How much does the seminar cost?
£60, which must be paid within 14 days of confirmation of your seminar date. Failure to pay within the specified time scale may result in prosecution proceedings.
2. Where are the seminars held?
Seminars are held at venues on both the north and south banks of the Humber. You will be allocated a venue as close to your home as possible. You will get a map giving directions with your joining instructions.
3. Why do I have to attend a course in Humberside?
Humberside Police is one of a number of police forces that offers speed seminars to drivers as a way of reducing road casualties. Not all police forces are able to offer this alternative to prosecution and so we have a policy that you must attend a seminar within the Humberside region. This is in order to give out a clear, consistent message to all those who are offered a seminar by the Humberside Partnership.
4. What if I can't get time off work to attend the seminar?
You will be allocated a date and time to attend a seminar using the information provided on your acceptance form. Changes to this will only be made in exceptional circumstances. If you cannot make time to attend you will be prosecuted in the usual way.
5. What happens if I don't turn up?
You must attend on your allocated time and date or you will be prosecuted for the offence you have committed.
6. How do I get there?
A location map will be included with the invitation letter sent out to those that opt for the seminar.
7. How long does it take?
The seminar will take around two hours in total. There will be a short break in the middle of the session. Seminars are held at varying times throughout the week (including Saturdays). You will be allocated the first available seminar according to the information you originally provided.
8. What is involved?
Each seminar is run by two presenters. There will be a mixture of discussion and information looking at attitude to speed and the effects and possible consequence of excessive and inappropriate speed.
9. Is there a written test, driving test or role-play, and can I fail?
No, but you are expected to take a full and active part in the seminar. Deliberately disruptive behaviour will result in you being removed from the seminar and prosecuted for the speeding offence.
10. Do I pay the fixed penalty fine as well as the course fee?
No, the Speed Seminar is an alternative to a fixed penalty fine.
11. Do I still get penalty points on my licence?
No, it is an alternative to both the fine and the penalty points, provided the course is completed.
12. Where does the money go?
Once the costs of the seminars have been met, money from the scheme helps develop other casualty reduction initiatives that otherwise would not happen.
13. Will I have to watch footage of accidents due to speeding?
During the presentation some videos showing reconstructions of accidents carried out by actors will be shown. These do not contain any unnecessary images of injuries etc. Some emotive videos are also shown. One shows an interview with a victim's family and the other shows some footage of children who were later killed in speed related accidents.
14. What happens if I've been offered two Speed Seminars?
You can only attend a Speed Seminar once. Prosecution for the other offence will be considered. You will not be offered another seminar if you are caught speeding in the future.
15. Are meals included?
No, however tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided at no extra cost.
16. Is there any childcare available?
No.
17. I have special needs - can you accommodate me?
Yes, but please let us know on the form what your needs are.
18. What happens if I suddenly can't make the seminar, for example an emergency at home?
You will be prosecuted for the offence you have committed. If you are ill and can produce a doctor's sick certificate another course may be offered, if one is available.
19. Can I bring a friend or member of my family with me?
No.
20. Do I need to bring my driving licence with me?
Yes, for identification.